Which Position Battles Could Shape the Bears 2026 Season?
The Chicago Bears have spent much of the offseason trying to improve a roster that struggled to find consistency in 2025. While several new faces have been added, some of the most important battles will come from players already on the roster competing for larger roles. A handful of key position groups still have major questions surrounding them, and how those competitions play out could determine the team’s ceiling this season. Battles at left tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback will all have a direct impact on whether Chicago can improve on both sides of the ball. If the right players emerge from these competitions, the Bears could take a significant step forward in 2026.
Left Tackle
The left tackle position has been one of the most crucial areas of the team to watch this offseason so far. Starter Ozzy Trapilo will miss time, so the Bears are looking to see who can step up in his place. They have mainly looked internally, bringing back Theo Benedet, who started eight games last season, and veteran Braxton Jones. Then, Chicago brought in former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. on a one-year deal. No one else has been added yet, so it will likely be one of these three who becomes the starter.
Benedet and Jones likely have the inside edge due to their experience in the system. They both saw time starting last season, and the coaching staff is familiar with what they are working with. This also benefits the team, as there is built-in chemistry that helps the offensive line adapt to changes. However, Wills Jr. should not be counted out. Of the three, he came into the NFL with the most potential. It will likely be an open competition, and as of now, it appears that anyone’s spot in the starting lineup could be up for grabs. If whoever wins the spot plays solid, then the Bears are set to have a strong offensive line once again. However, if they struggle, the offense would face major setbacks in both pass protection and creating running lanes.
Edge Rusher
Once again, the defensive line remains one of the biggest areas of concern for the Bears. Chicago has done very little to address the pass rush, which was arguably the weakest unit of the team last year. Montez Sweat had 10 sacks this past season and is penciled in as the team's top pass rusher. However, the second starting spot is still up for grabs. This will likely come down to Austin Booker, who showed explosiveness in his 10 games last season, and Dayo Odeyingbo, who had a bit of a disappointing season.
Similar to left tackle, this is sure to be an open competition. However, Booker may have a head start. At the end of the regular season, he was living up to the potential that his elite athleticism offers. He was fast, strong, and his long arms allowed him to bat down plenty of passes. Odeyingbo is the veteran of the group, and he has definitely flashed his talent. In 2023, he had eight sacks, which is his career high. In all honesty, both of these players may benefit from playing in a rotational role, but one of them will still need to step up to be a complementary piece for Sweat. If they can provide production, then the lack of additions this offseason may be worth it to boost the rest of the roster. This may be one of the most crucial things to monitor, as if there is no pass rush, then the team will once again struggle defensively.
Cornerback
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the cornerback position may have the second-most question marks about it. Chicago lost Nahshon Wright in free agency and currently does not have someone penciled in to replace him, but they do have three solid options. Tyrique Stevenson is returning for another season, and since he is in the final year of his deal, he could be in for a career year. The Bears are also getting Terell Smith, who has been contending for a starting spot for the past few years, back after he missed all of last season due to injury. Finally, Malik Muhammad, the Bears' fourth-round pick this year, is sure to be in contention.
Muhammad is going to need to adapt to both the defensive system and the NFL, which means he may not start right away. Smith is also going to be working back from a serious injury, so it will take him some time to shake off the rust. These factors may lead to Stevenson starting off in the best position, but he will have to play strongly to keep the spot. This is going to be a tough, but crucial, competition this offseason. Defense was a weak spot in 2025, so if the secondary can get stabilized, then the pass defense will see a massive upgrade.
As training camp continues, these position battles will remain some of the most important storylines surrounding the Bears. Chicago has enough talent on the roster to compete, but the team still needs several players to step up in crucial roles. The outcomes at left tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback could ultimately determine how balanced this roster becomes in 2026. If the Bears can find reliable starters through these competitions, both the offense and defense should see noticeable improvement. However, if these questions remain unresolved, Chicago could struggle to keep pace in a competitive NFC North.
